CAAM said the new Civil Aviation Regulation, set to be published in the fourth quarter, will replace 2016 rules and introduce comprehensive guidelines for both commercial and recreational drone use.

“The new regulation for drone operations will provide enhanced guidance and governance, aligning with global best practices while fostering a safe, progressive and sustainable UAS ecosystem,” it said in a statement.

CAAM said it is also revising and streamlining the associated fees and charges to reflect the changes to the updated regulations and ensure they meet the growing demands of the industry.

It said the regulations will also be accompanied by the launch of the UAS Traffic Management System, a digital platform to further simplify drone registration for operators.

Expected to be fully operational by late 2025, the system will digitise registration, permit applications and airspace monitoring, improving efficiency and reducing processing time.

CAAM also said it is working with several other regulatory organisations such as the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, Sirim, and the police to ensure smooth implementation of the regulations and prevent illegal drone activities.

“Strengthening these regulations is crucial to maintaining the highest standards of safety in UAS operations while preventing unlawful activities such as illegal surveillance, airspace violations and other criminal acts,” said its CEO, Norazman Mahmud.